Jolly Fellows: Male Milieus in Nineteenth-Century America (Gender Relations in the American Experience)

Dive into the raucous and often-overlooked world of 19th-century American masculinity with Richard Stott's compelling book, *Jolly Fellows: Male Milieus in Nineteenth-Century America (Gender Relations in the American Experience)*. This hardcover edition, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the "jolly fellows" men who embraced a culture of boisterous camaraderie, heavy drinking, gambling, pranks, and, yes, even brawling. Far from being mere outliers, Stott argues that these men and the spaces they inhabited played a significant role in shaping American society and culture. Stott's meticulous research unearths the diverse locales where "jolly fellowship" thrived, from the bustling streets of New York City and the chaotic gold rush camps of California to the rough-and-tumble Pennsylvania oil fields and the nascent college campuses of the era. He masterfully reconstructs the social atmosphere of these environments, revealing the permissive attitudes that allowed these behaviors to flourish, often in direct defiance of the rising tide of Victorian morality and the temperance movement. Explore the fascinating emergence of the American West as a bastion of unrestrained male behavior. Stott vividly portrays how cattle towns and mining camps became centers of resistance to Victorian propriety, where the "jolly fellow" ethos lingered longest before succumbing to a new ideal of manhood defined by sobriety and self-control. Discover how this shift impacted the very fabric of American identity and the evolving understanding of masculinity. But *Jolly Fellows* goes beyond simply documenting a bygone era. Stott demonstrates how the spirit of "jolly fellowship," though diminishing in reality, permeated American popular culture through various mediums. Trace its influence on minstrel shows, dime novels, and the burgeoning world of comic strips. This enduring presence reveals the complex and often contradictory nature of American attitudes toward masculinity and its expression. This isn't just a historical account; it's a critical examination of the forces that shaped American manhood. Stott challenges conventional narratives and proposes a new interpretation of 19th-century American culture and society, making *Jolly Fellows* an essential read for anyone interested in gender studies, American history, social history, and the enduring legacy of masculinity. With 384 pages of meticulously researched analysis, this book is poised to inform and inspire future scholarship on masculinity in America. Considered a seminal work in the field of gender studies, *Jolly Fellows* is frequently cited by scholars exploring the complexities of male identity and behavior in the 19th century. Stott's engaging prose and insightful analysis make this book accessible to both academic and general audiences. Pick up your copy today and uncover a hidden chapter in American history!